Death toll from defective GM switches hits 109

The death toll from faulty ignition switches in small cars made by General Motors has reached 109.

Victims' families are being offered compensation of at least $1 million each by attorney Kenneth Feinberg, who was hired by GM last year. In addition, GM has agreed to make offers to 208 people who were injured in crashes caused by the switches in the Chevrolet Cobalt and other older-model cars.

GM recalled 2.6 million of the cars last year, but acknowledged it knew about problems with the switches for more than a decade.

Feinberg's compensation fund received 4,342 claims by the Jan. 31 deadline. About 7 per cent remain under review. Eighty-four per cent were deemed deficient or ineligible.

GM paid $200 million to settle claims filed with Feinberg as of March 31.

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